Happy ReFashioned Holidays!

When I needed a festive frock to wear to my supper club’s annual White Elephant gift exchange, I went for this one that has been languishing on my refashion rack for over a year. I almost refashioned it last year, but got caught up in the hustle, bustle, and (let’s be honest) procrastination of the season and it never happened.

…Until now!

I can’t seem to find my covered wagon anywhere.

I’m sure this is some sort of costume from some sort of Christmas play.

I’m ready for my closeup!

Yeah…this wasn’t going to cut it. My thought was to take this pioneer dress and turn it into a sort of kimono-ish dress.

I’m not sure whether I succeeded. I’ll let you decide.

But first, let’s take a moment to make fun of the label:

Oh are she?

It was time to get a choppin’! First, I removed the buttons from the front of the dress, as i found them frumpy and lame.

Byeee!

Then, I cut a slit down the front of the neck of the dress. My plan was to turn it into a sort of sweetheart v-neck…once again, trying to evoke a kimono-ish look.

Snnnip!

I folded each side of the V down, pinned it and stiched the new neckline. Did I take a picture of this process? No. I did not. I’m bad bad blogger who is out of practice and will undoubtedly get coal in my stocking tomorrow.

A few more cuts followed.

Sleeve me alone!Chop x 3!

Next, I stitched the two ends of the side sashy-things together.

Like so.

I then got to work at taking in the skirt of the dress.

Going for a slimmer silhouette!Taking it in! Whirrrrrr!

After cutting off the excess fabric with my pinking shears, I hemmed the bottom of the dress and the sleeves.

No reason to show this photo, other than I’m pretty proud of how nice my tree looks this year…and look! I dyed my sofa orange! :)

Anywho…hemming…

Hemmmmm….

As I stitched away, I was filled with anxiety. My thread was running out. WOULD I MAKE IT? Or would I have to rethread????

Merry Christmas! Even if you go MIA for months and months, I get excited whenever I see you have a new blog post! Love your creativity, love that you show your process, mistakes and all, and that you do it with such humor. Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for being you!

Considering where this dress began, I think dirndl was too deeply embedded in its “DNA.” No matter. It turned out totally ready to Christmas party! Even your trees are dressed in their best. I only put lights on mine this year. And, BTW, do you ever use the fabric left over from your refashionista-ing? Some would work for quilts; others would look to be large enough to feature in other clothing. I need to get sewing in the new year. You and Lauren Taylor (lladybird) will definitely be inspirations. Merry Christmas!

What a delight to get one of your refashions in my email on Christmas Eve!! I have missed You! Have a wonderful Christmas!! Your tree, couch, n house are adorable. You have to tell us how you dyed your couch!

So glad to see you back again- I’ve missed reading your posts!! I’m about to do some serious Goodwill/American Cancer Society Thrift Shop/Jewish Women’s Council Thrift Shop shopping on my winter break, and need inspiration!!

Very cute
I think I saw that dress on a vintage good housekeeping cover
I was just thinking the other day how much I missed your posts
What a great Xmas present to see you again
Love your place as well
Happy Holidays and as always thanks for sharing

Merry Christmas! Is it just me, or does the skirt look rumply, like it needs an anti-static spray or something? Or maybe that’s just very Austrian, lol! I commend your talents and enjoy your posts so much!! Peace, and I Love your Christmas tree!

Really nice refashion. Love your tree. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. I love your livingroom; it is really nice and cozy. Wish mine looked like that. Don’t make the next refashion so far away.

Oh woman, you do amazing shit with old clothes! Your refashions are more inspiring than anything else I get on my pinterest-inbox or any other.
Going through a few of those posts here I want to add: Yes, you have been missed here and yes, I’d love to see you more often but you do what is good for you. You live your life for you, not for us. And I don’t care if this sounds pathetic.
Keep your head high, you are amazing!

My heart skipped a beat when I had an email that you posted! Jillian, you always look amazing and you are a true inspiration to me. Your blog has inspired me to sew/refashion but as a thirty-something (this is not going to come out right no matter what I say) living the single-but-pursuing-life, I often think you and how you always are positive, unabashed, and unafraid. You inspire me to be as badass as you are and I wish you all the best Jillian!

Your tree looks amazing – the organza ribbon is especially effective. The dress looks a lot better! Totally love the waist tie but I think you should take in the bodice at the sides more to better show off your amazing figure and maybe change to flutter sleeves so they don’t overpower the rest of the dress. More importantly PLEASE tell us how you dyed your sofa!!